Hello,
Until now, I didn't realize how difficult it is to come up with a catchy website name - one that encompasses the right scope without sounding too pompous or arrogant - that isn't already taken. The title of The Imaginative Mom hopefully accomplishes it. My husband originally wanted to call the site Role Model Mom, which in all honesty I could not bring myself to do so. I'm not an expert in child rearing (far from it - ask my kids) and the purpose of the site is to share some of the things I've done over the years with a few lessons learned tossed in. In the end, luckily Role Model Mom was taken anyway - whew!
As mentioned in the About Me page, since the birth of my twins 8 years ago, I've joined the ranks of the Stay At Home Mom status. At that time our daughters were 10 weeks premature and my husband traveled extensively for his job. With the expected stress of multiples, let alone ones that were quite early, we made the conscious decision for me to not return to my job. I had never stayed at home before. I had always worked, gone to school, raised my son, etc - all at once. This was the first time I didn't have to get dressed and go to work. I was stressed, it had been 16 years since I had to change diapers, but once I got over that initial stress and lack of sleep, I started to get bored. Not with my kids, but my mind was feeling like it was dwindling. Sometimes, I still feel that way. I'll admit it. I always want to be learning something new, trying something new - failure or success. As the kids got a bit older, I started lots of little "projects", some successful, some with less than favorable results. If you are anything like me, going from working outside the home to not, you can question what have you accomplished or what your added value is. My husband suggested I put this website together as a way to show to myself the things that I've done that might help others who feel the same way. Kind of a report card of sorts.
We have a grown son who is now living on his own in the Washington, D.C. area. As he was growing up, I like most moms of sons, did all kinds of boy things... drove to endless football practices and games, wrestling matches, lacrosse matches. Essentially attending anything a boy likes to do that entails harsh, physical contact! This time around, we have twin girls. So instead of bruises and emergency room visits for broken arms and concussions, we are surrounded with pink and purple, LOTS of drama, roller skating, singing and art lessons, and a couple of mini fashionistas... to name just a few. I've enjoyed putting together Mother Daughter Holiday Tea parties and I just finished putting together a neighborhood treasure hunt for their 8th birthday party.
I'd like to share the joy, tears, and craziness, things I would have done better or hope to do better.
Many thanks!
Lisa